State Vital Records in Kentucky
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Kentucky. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics
State Vital Records in Kentucky: key facts
- Administering office
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics.
- Contact
- Phone 502-564-4212.
- Office location
- 275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY. 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM EST, Monday-Friday.
- Mail orders
- Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621.
- Certificate fee
- $6 for the first certified copy; $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time
- Up to 30 working days for mail orders.
- Who may order
- Any applicant.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 50 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1911.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Kentucky — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek with additional charge card fee
- By phone: Call VitalChek at 800-241-8322, option 1
- By mail: Mail request with check/money order in US dollars. Allow up to 30 working days
- In person: Visit lobby at 275 East Main Street, Frankfort
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Completed application form
- Required fee
- Allow the office's processing time (up to 30 working days for mail orders).
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics
Phone: 502-564-4212
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call VitalChek at 800-241-8322, option 1. by mail: Mail request with check/money order in US dollars. Allow up to 30 working days. in person: Visit lobby at 275 East Main Street, Frankfort. Mail orders go to Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621.
The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Completed application form; Required fee. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Kentucky primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics